When you’re planning on relocating to a new area and you need to find a job in a different city, it’s important to be careful how you handle all that information in your cover letter. Hiring managers often look for people in the immediate vicinity, and you don’t want to miss an opportunity just because you currently live outside of their area. Read on to learn how to mention relocation when you write a cover letter.

If you’re applying for a senior position or a job with a shortage of qualified candidates, you have a good chance of being considered for a job even though you currently live in a different location. However, if you’re applying for a low or mid-level position where there may be many qualified applicants who already live in the area, you can risk being screened out if you submit documents with an out-of-town address.

Employers will be more likely to consider someone who is already going to be in the area, so they don't have to deal with the logistics and expense of moving a new hire.

You need to phrase your cover letter correctly, so you can get your application considered by prospective employers, even if you currently live outside of their region.

First of all, keep the focus on your qualifications for the job rather than on where you live. Secondly, make it very clear that you are planning a move to the new location.

Finally – if your budget allows – you can mention that you are more than happy to travel, at your own cost, to their campus or office for a personal interview and that you also plan to be responsible for your own moving expenses.

Should You List Your Address on Your Resume and Cover Letter?

You will find career counselors who advise omitting your physical address on your resume and cover letter entirely, because this may lessen your chances of consideration and because of potential identity theft. However, many hiring managers will still perceive such an omission as a “red flag,” wondering why you have omitted your address even as they note that the latest job mentioned on your resume is located 1,000 miles away from them. Until omitting physical addresses on professional resumes becomes commonplace, it’s probably best to be upfront and explain your current address and relocation plans.

How to Mention Relocation in Your Cover Letter

You’ll typically benefit the most by addressing the fact that you’re moving upfront. This will make it clear that you’re not applying just as a way to get to the new location. After all, your main rationale for applying for any job should be the nature of the work, followed by the appeal of the organization.

You can either mention the fact that you are moving at the beginning of the cover letter or closer to the end. But either way, a statement that addresses your interest in the job itself should precede any reference to the fact that you're relocating.

Option 1: Mention it at the Beginning of Your Letter

This type of statement can be included early in the first paragraph of a cover letter.

Sample Cover Letter Mentioning Relocation

It was with much excitement that I learned of Maximum Communications’ search for an Associate Marketing Coordinator. I am highly interested in consideration for this position since it would enable me to apply my project management skills and also would tap my passion for event planning.

The recent trajectory of growth at Maximum Communications, including your latest addition of Pepsi as a client, further stimulated my interest in applying for this position.

My wife and I are planning to relocate (or, even better, “are in the process of relocating”) within the next two months to the Seattle area to be closer to her family, so the timing of this job opening is ideal.

Option 2: Mention it at the End of Your Letter

Perhaps the best way, however, to address relocation is to incorporate a statement in a final paragraph which mentions traveling to the area. This a) allows you to focus on the job and your qualifications themselves at the beginning of the letter; and b) gives you more time to make it clear that the employer wouldn't be responsible for your travel costs, moving costs, or any other expenses.

As mentioned above, organizations usually expect to fund travel and bring in candidates from outside locations to interview for senior and hard-to-fill positions. However, for more entry-level jobs there may be a preference for local candidates.

Example

I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss this position. I will be traveling to Seattle for a conference (or to find an apartment or to network with local college alumni) in two weeks and would be available to meet at that time. However, I would also be glad to travel, at my own expense, for an interview at your convenience. Please know that I also have resources in place that would allow me to relocate and begin work immediately upon hiring. Thank you for your time, consideration, and forthcoming response.

Review a Sample Letter Mentioning Relocation (Text Version)

I heard with great interest in the open position of Sales Coordinator at GRE Enterprises from my supervisor, James Gray. He suggested I contact you directly, as we had been discussing my next career opportunity and my family’s upcoming move to the San Diego area.

At ABC, my contributions to the sales team have been well documented. My sales have consistently exceeded my goals by double digits, and my client satisfaction ratings have been maintained at the highest standards. My organizational and communication skills have placed me in a leadership role among the entry-level staff.

As you know, ABC is a company similar in size and scope to GRE. As I look toward my next position, I believe the possibility of continuing my career path in sales with your group will be a wonderful opportunity to help make your company even more successful.

I will be traveling to San Diego several times in the next few months and would love to meet you at your convenience to discuss how I can contribute to your sales team.